[Real World, Station 13 (China forum)]
'I used to think Bro Tendo was a stats-cheater, but now I see he actually has some moves!'
'Note: When a girl asks if you've said similar things to other girls, the standard answer is: I only speak my truth to the people I care about.'
'Don't bother taking notes, buddy. Do you have Bro Tendo's hardware?'
'I'll be honest, all of Bro Tendo's "skill" is written on his face.'
'Every stats-cheater thinks they're a master strategist~ (dog head)'
Although Tendo temporarily averted the double-barreled attack from Jing Liuli and Caroline with his 'sincerity,' the dimensional viewers immediately saw the key truth.
Tendo thought his entire performance was a skillful display of dodging and weaving.
In reality... it was entirely because Caroline and Jing Liuli didn't want to make things difficult for him!
If this were anyone else, forget safely passing the ordeal.
It would be a toss-up whether they'd leave the restaurant without a slap mark on their faces.
Just as the bullet comments were relentlessly mocking Tendo's 'All Stats, No Skill,' the scene abruptly shifted.
It returned to the four-person main protagonist group, long forgotten by many.
Even though Chen Kong and the others are the officially recognized protagonists by the Stars Production Team, the three-person group around Tendo is clearly more engaging!
[Vienna Grand Hotel Suite Entrance, Crimson Mist City]
"Kong! What are you dawdling for?"
"Hurry up, or all the good spots for the fireworks festival will be taken!"
Liu Ma knocked on the bathroom door, urging Chen Kong not to waste time.
He stood outside, arms crossed, wearing a loose-fitting beach shirt with an exaggerated graphic that read 'Star Beast Buster' emblazoned across his chest, instantly cementing his place as the main group's comedian.
He exuded a sense of hilarity.
"Coming, coming."
The bathroom door finally opened. Chen Kong walked out sporting a slicked-back hairstyle.
Chen Kong was wearing a completely new outfit. The fitted black tactical suit, paired with the deliberately slicked-back hair, instantly made him look much sharper.
While his appearance still couldn't match Tendo, the true face of Stars's visuals, the contrast with the large, rugged Liu Ma gave him a certain 'stylish man' vibe.
"Woah, I knew you were taking forever for something! So you were secretly changing skins? That slicked-back hair looks sharp, you haven't embarrassed us!"
Liu Ma laughed and patted his shoulder with a force that made Chen Kong stumble. Chen Kong shot Liu Ma an annoyed look.
This big, clumsy brute! He doesn't know his own strength. Doesn't he worry about dislocating my shoulder with one slap?
However, since he was in a good mood today, he couldn't be bothered to argue with the brute.
"Let's go. It's a rare fireworks festival. We really should leave early and grab a good spot."
With that, Chen Kong opened the room door.
In the hotel hallway, Vivian and Isabelle had been waiting for a while.
Vivian wore a light gray casual jacket and carried a transparent small bag containing energy bars and portable drinks—the typical 'reliable teammate' look.
Isabelle wore a light blue dress with subtle ice crystal patterns embroidered on the hem. The designer watch on her left wrist glittered elegantly. She was clearly dressed up.
Seeing the two men finally emerge after much delay, Isabelle tapped her expensive watch and said with her characteristic aristocratic tsundere tone, "You two big men are more time-consuming than us girls."
Liu Ma raised his hands in a classic French 'national salute' surrender gesture toward the two ladies.
"Don't look at me, I was ready ages ago. It's this kid, Chen Kong, who was dragging his feet."
Hearing this, Chen Kong immediately put his hands together and said, "My bad, my bad."
"Of course it's your bad. Whose else could it be?"
Chen Kong's eye twitched at Liu Ma's comment, and his forehead broke out in black lines.
He was indeed at fault with Isabelle and Vivian.
But with Liu Ma, he felt zero need to apologize.
"You've got some nerve saying that! Who was hogging the bathroom for an hour, forcing me to air it out for half an hour afterward?" Chen Kong retorted, not backing down.
Liu Ma refused to show weakness.
"What's your problem? You're blaming me because you woke up late?"
"If your snoring wasn't so loud that I couldn't sleep, would I have gone to bed so late yesterday?"
Seeing the two comedians about to start another argument, Vivian sighed and intervened.
"Alright, stop arguing. The fireworks festival starts in just one hour. If we don't leave now, we won't even get a spot near the edge."
At this, Liu Ma and Chen Kong finally calmed down.
The dimensional viewers couldn't help but mock the 'Stars Dead Last Duo,' who couldn't be on screen for more than three minutes without arguing.
'I've figured it out: Liu Ma looks honest, but he's actually incredibly talkative and petty.'
'Do you think the reason Liu Ma's body is so strong is so he can physically force others to listen to reason?'
'Liu Ma: If you don't understand manners, then I am also slightly skilled in fisticuffs.'
Amidst the playful jabs in the comments, the four entered the hotel elevator together.
As the elevator descended, they began discussing the Crimson Mist City Fireworks Festival.
"You know, fifty years ago, this Crimson Mist Tide Fireworks Festival used to be absolutely terrifying," Liu Ma said, watching the floor numbers shrink on the elevator panel, explaining the origin of the festival.
"Fifty years ago?" Chen Kong asked curiously.
"Yeah!"
Liu Ma took out a specialized energy bar and chewed on it, explaining indistinctly.
"I heard that fifty years ago, whenever the Red Mist Season hit the Crimson Mist Sea, the whole city would go into lockdown. Every house had its doors and windows barricaded like a fortress."
"That's because during the Red Mist Season, the Star Beasts in the Crimson Mist Sea would go berserk and spread everywhere."
"If the Stars Association hadn't invented the [Calamity-Grade Star Beast Mimicry Obelisk], people here wouldn't be able to safely watch beautiful fireworks during the Red Mist Season."
"I see."
Hearing this, Chen Kong, although he hadn't experienced the situation fifty years ago, had been through the Beast Tide several times.
He understood how dangerous that situation was.
And he had to admit, he preferred this peaceful daily life over fighting Star Beasts to the death.
Ding!
"Elevator's here. Let's go."
Liu Ma took the lead and stepped out of the elevator.
The four exited the hotel lobby and immediately saw the light red mist outside and the sky that looked like a burning cloud.
Seeing this, Chen Kong couldn't help but say, "This Red Mist Season sky looks just like the end of the world. I hope nothing unexpected happens today."
"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! You and your bad mouth!"
Liu Ma immediately slapped him on the back with a force that nearly made him choke.
"It's a beautiful fireworks festival! Don't talk about 'accidents!'"
"Alright, alright, I won't say it again."
Before Liu Ma could make a bigger issue of it, Vivian smiled and said, "Don't worry, the Obelisk has been running smoothly. Nothing will happen."
Isabelle, for once, agreed.
"And even if something happens, the Association will deal with it. There's nothing to worry about."
Hearing these words, Chen Kong scratched his cheek.
"You're right. When the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up."
With that, the four walked toward the beach where the fireworks festival was being held.
What they didn't notice was that shortly after they left the hotel, a figure quietly followed them...
-----------------------------------------------
My translated webnovel, 'The Only Player in the Marvel World,' has been banned down. You can read it on Patr eon until I re-upload it. Thank you for your support.
-----------------------------------------------
I handpick only the finest and most captivating novels for you. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon HongMengZi